To teach students at Syracuse University about the project and the computer program, Fordham will hold a panel discussion at 4 p.m. Wednesday at SU’s Maxwell Hall Auditorium.

A committee of state legislators and staff are now gathering data and public comments about the redistricting, a task the Legislature must complete every 10 years based on new Census numbers and as prescribed by the state constitution.

“I think it’s a good thing that it’s out there,” said Oaks, one of four lawmakers assigned to LATFOR, said of the Fordham project. “Any input at this point is positive.”

But whether the computerized version could replace the current one seems very unlikely, at least during this round. That doesn’t deter those at Fordham working on the project.

“We’re hoping these maps would become the basis to get the final map approved by the Legislature,” said Tyrone Stevens, who is working on the project.

Access to the mapping program is free at https://districtbuilder.redistrictny.org/. The program allows users to create the maps while following state and federal voting guidelines, such as keeping districts contiguous and towns whole.

What the program doesn’t do is take into account voter registration or patterns, something LATFOR has done in past years to keep Republicans in power in the Senate and Democrats in power in the Assembly.

Will New York one day rely solely on computers to redraw its districts? Oaks, for one, doesn’t think so.

“There is a value to meeting with people in Buffalo and meeting with people in Syracuse and in Staten Island to get local perspective,” said Oaks. “I think face-to-face public input is also critical.”

Teri Weaver’s Albany Notebook is published Sundays in The Post-Standard. Contact her at tweaver@syracuse.com or 470-2274.